But is there then no medium? or, because

Napoleon's name alternately has been

A theme for indiscriminate applause

And fiercest censure, must we blindly lean

To either? Truth is, surely, found between.

And he who has not mingled in debate

With those who loudest talk when least they mean,

May, without erring widely, estimate

Napoleon's lasting claim to be consider’d great.

True greatness is not won by power alone,

Even if that power be nobly, fairly gain’d;

But as its influence unto GOOD is prone,

The plaudits of the virtuous are obtain’d.

By this sure test alone may be explain’d

All genuine greatness;— it has made mankind

Wiser, and happier; it has never stain’d

Its fame by selfishness, but borne in mind,

That glory, to be true, must be with good combin’d.

GOD is not greatbecause omnipotent !

But because power, in Him, is understood,

And felt, and prov’d, to be benevolent,

And wise, and holy;—thus it ever should!

For what He wills, we know, is pure and good,

And has in view the happiness of ALL:

Hence love and adoration;—never could

The contrite spirit at his footstool fall,

If Power, and Power alone , its feelings did appal!

If then divinest power be truly so,

Because its end and object is to bless;

It follows, that all power which man can know,

The highest even monarchs can possess,

Displays alone their “less than littleness,”

Unless it seek the happiness of man,

And glory of the Highest;—nothing less

Than such a useof power one moment can

Make its possessor great, on Wisdom's godlike plan.

Thus judg’d, Napoleon was not truly great;

Because his actionsto the world have shown,

In language which admits of no debate,

Self-aggrandizement was his end alone.

He us’d his power, as conquerors are prone,

And ever were, for selfish ends; and sought

To extend his sway, and fortify his throne;

Not by those gentler arts, with blessings fraught,

But by War's ruthless spoil, with blood and rapine bought.

I will not say that he had no excuse,